Control of Botrytis cinerea in strawberries with Gliocladium catenulatum vectored by bumblebees, presented at the International Horticulture Congress Brisbane

Grey mould Botrytis cinerea is the most common fruit rot disease in strawberries and shelf-life is often limited because of Botrytis infections. This problem can be reduced by cultivating strawberries under protection. However, under favourable conditions Botrytis can still cause serious losses. Generally in commercial strawberry greenhouses in Belgium, the disease is controlled by spraying chemical pesticides. However, for sustainable disease control and producing strawberries with fewer residues, it is required to find non-chemical alternatives. A trial was conducted in strawberries grown under plastic greenhouse. To control Botrytis, bumblebees(Bombus terrestris) were used as vector to transport the antagonistic fungus Gliocladium catenulatumJ1446 (Verdera B4) to the flowers using the Flying Doctors? system (Biobest). This system is a bumblebee hive with an integrated product dispenser. Bumblebees leaving the hive walk through the dispenser (filled with Verdera B4) and become loaded with the microbial product. The following treatments were compared with G. catenulatum vectored by bumblebees: untreated control, conventional chemical spray scheme, conventional spray application with G. catenulatum. In addition, it was investigated whether the efficacy of Verdera B4 (vectored) could be improved by combined spraying with G. catenulatum(1 X) or Teldor (1X). An artificial inoculation with Botrytis was performed. Botrytis infection pre- and post harvest, and yield were evaluated. This greenhouse trial demonstrates that G. catenulatum vectored by bumblebees can reduce Botrytis infection and improve shelf-life of strawberries, comparable with a conventional chemical treatment scheme. This results in a more sustainable control with healthier strawberries due to fewer residues. ? Full list of authors and sourcesVan Delm, T1, Van Beneden, S2, Mommaerts, V2, Melis, P1, Stoffels, K1, W?ckers, F2, Baets, W1tom.vandelm@proefcentrum.be1Research Centre Hoogstraten, Meerle, Belgium2Biobest, Westerlo, Belgium IHC 2014, International Horticulture Congress, 17-22 August 2014, Brisbane, http://www.ihc2014.org/ The picture is by www.biobest.be Key words Fresa???? frutilla? strawberry strawberries????????????? aarbei?? ??????????????????? ?????????????????????? fraise??? ?????????????????? ????????????????????????? aardbei??????????????? fragolatruskawka????????? morango??????????? ?????????????????? ?ilek?????? ???????????